DODGERS: Kershaw has setback, shut down with renewed pain in his back

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- If you were counting the days until Clayton Kershaw's return to the Dodgers' rotation -- keep counting.

Kershaw has experienced renewed pain in his lower back -- "same area, same symptoms," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said -- since throwing approximately 60 pitches in a simulated-game setting Saturday in Los Angeles. He has not picked up a baseball to do any throwing since then and any plans for him to rejoin the Dodgers have been put on hold.

"After he threw that live session, the next day, Sunday, (he) didn’t feel great," Roberts said. "I think at that point in time it let us know we had to be a little more on the cautious side. So right now with Clayton, I don’t know if it’s a step back but we’re going to let this back pain subside and see where we go.

"As far as his return – uncertain."

Kershaw has not pitched since June 26 and received an epidural injection in his lower back a few days later after an examination by Dr. Robert Watkins diagnosed a mild herniation of a disc. Roberts said Kershaw will likely undergo another examination.

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